Dividends: Dropping the Last 'Lude

The drug produces a kind of mellow
euphoria. Introduced in 1965 as a prescription sleeping pill, it was
designed to provide a "quiet interlude," hence the name: Quaalude. But
the sedative, whose generic name is methaqualone, became a notoriously
abused drug. In a dubious tribute, one rock star even had a character
in his act named Quay Lewd.

Last week the only legal manufacturer of 'ludes in the U.S., the Lemmon
Co. of Sellersville, Pa., announced it was halting production. Lemmon
said Quaalude's reputation was hurting the whole firm.

Rampant misuse and counterfeiting has prompted officials to clamp down
on Quaalude. Nine...